Wireless and dynamics

[Nathan in NJ]

I've been checking the wireless threads here and all the discussion seems to be about reliability and dropouts and interference, nobody mentions sound quality. My concern is attack and response - wouldn't wireless have less of this than wired? But nobody is talking about it so I guess it isn't a problem?

TIA,
Nathan

 

[J-Bass RMR]

My concern is attack and response...
nobody is talking about it so I guess it isn't a problem?

Never for me...
I just was reading wireless threads this am. I'm still using my L6 G50 wireless units. (other than the battery door & bad on/off on one transmitter I use at home only)
I've never had an issue with reception, dropouts, or an appreciable difference in dynamics.
They also reduce hum noticeably by eliminating the cable.

 

[BaltBass5]

Zero issue with the Shure GLXD16+

 

[Aloe]

a modern digital wireless has like 20 bits (over a 100 dB) of dynamic range, that's way more than you can meaningfully use on a gig or on a recording

 

[Nathan in NJ]

Thank, that’s all good to know. I think I’ll get a Shure GLX-D+. It seems to be a popular and reliable choice.

 

[john_g]

Thank, that’s all good to know. I think I’ll get a Shure GLX-D+. It seems to be a popular and reliable choice.

I have one and i have not had any dropouts or loss of tone compared to wired

 

[Adjectives]

Sennheiser XSW with no issue. Friends band use the Xvive ones and they report they sound great too.

 

[bass.slinger]

No worries - Sennheiser G4.

 

[Fender_Bender]

It’s a natural question to ask but I imagine the signal waves are going hundreds of miles an hour to get to your amp.

 

[EricOnTheBass]

Speed of light, as a matter of fact.

 

[wheelsup247]

Which of the Shure GLX-D+ number is best for electric bass? I play through a Quad Cortex to FOH and IEMs. Not a lot of distance but lots of lights (big screen behind me). Appreciate the insight in advance.

 

[JamesGrant]

My main gigging bass is a passive jazz bass and use the Sennheiser XSW. It sounds better using the wireless than when I use a jack cable. I guess it’s an impedance / inductance thing.
I also gig with a BSX EUB (Electric Upright Bass) which has an active preamp and the sound quality is identical when using the XSW vs a jack cable. With the EUB, it looks a lot better without having cable.

Been using the Sennheiser XSW for a couple of years and I have two transmitters so can swap over when one is running low on charge (have replaced the stock battery and get about 4hours usage per charge)

 

[Pep]

I've been checking the wireless threads here and all the discussion seems to be about reliability and dropouts and interference, nobody mentions sound quality. My concern is attack and response - wouldn't wireless have less of this than wired? But nobody is talking about it so I guess it isn't a problem?

TIA,
Nathan

Never had a problem. I used an A/B switch to from wireless to direct to check the overall difference and I didn’t hear any at all. I’ve been using the Line 6 G30 for over 10 years.

 

[Geri O]

Dynamics are exactly why I spent $2100 on a Lectrosonics bass wireless system. Industrial grade, Superbowl choice for onfield officials’ wireless needs.

That was 15 years ago. The Lectro saw a lotta miles since then. I had the transmitter pack serviced for $400 several years ago. Then the press-to-power button got really hard to press, so I retired the Lectro rig (still use it occasionally) and went with the Sennheiser EW-D. An RF guru I’m friends with suggested that the price of high-quality digital wireless had come way down and he thought I’d be happy with the Sennheiser.

It hasn’t disappointed in the least.


Latency next to nothing, dynamics are great.

 

[NotColinGrigson]

Older analog systems used to compress the signal as part of the process. Companders in the transmitter and expanders in the receiver squished and restored the signal, leading to some remaining compression ime
However modern digital systems don’t deal with this in the same way.
When I moved from analog to digital 20 odd years ago, I realised quite how much it was compressing my signal.
I’m now using a shure glxd+ pedalboard system. Absolutely fantastic wireless- no dropouts, interference, or audible compression.

 

[baxter_x]

My concern is attack and response - wouldn't wireless have less of this than wired?

Not if you choose a digital wireless. Loss of dynamic occurs with analog wireless mainly.

 

[LowActionHero]

I'm also using a Line 6 G30.
No sound difference that I can notice.

 

[IanStephenson]

Which of the Shure GLX-D+ number is best for electric bass? I play through a Quad Cortex to FOH and IEMs. Not a lot of distance but lots of lights (big screen behind me). Appreciate the insight in advance.

The pack is the glxd1 (glxd2 are the mics).

For receiver it depends what you want. GLXD6 is build for a pedal board and has a built in tuner, so if you want it on the floor in front of you, then that's your choice.

GLXD4 is the regular receiver which comes in two versions. The 4 and the 4R - the 4R is optimised for rack mount, while the slightly cheaper 4 isn't (though you can put it on a rack shelf no problem).

When they sell a set they use both numbers so you probably want the glxd16+ or glxd14+ set.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Thank, that’s all good to know. I think I’ll get a Shure GLX-D+. It seems to be a popular and reliable choice.

I also have a Shure system, not certain if it's the same model. Not at home to look. Never had issues and I can admit I've gotten pretty lax about having a cable ready to go as a backup over the last 10+ years I've had it.

I use it all the time, practice and gigs.

 

[Photonic]

I've been checking the wireless threads here and all the discussion seems to be about reliability and dropouts and interference, nobody mentions sound quality. My concern is attack and response - wouldn't wireless have less of this than wired? But nobody is talking about it so I guess it isn't a problem?

TIA,
Nathan

Greetings. As for dynamics and sound quality I just finished up a similar thread for basic entry level gear and tried the Lekato wireless set up. It worked just fine, but to my ears it DID squash the dynamic range and more complex harmonics of the bass notes. It was subtle but noticeable in my practice studio and I did prefer the cabled sound. BUT, in a band setting with other instruments playing I do not think one would notice it at all. Since I do not play out, but practice a lot in my practice area, I felt that I much preferred the small, but present superior sound of a cabled connection. That being said, I suspect that a much higher professional wireless rig would be much better in this regard, but I do not have real life experience with that. Perhaps this is "you get what you pay for". I did return the Lekato set at Amazon. Ohhh, and I did NOT notice any latency, attack, or response issues.